Team Still Adjusting To Feeding The Beast In The Middle

November 14, 2004|By Ira Winderman Staff Writer

For lack of a better term, the next challenge for the Heat is learning how to feed the beast.

With all Shaquille O'Neal accomplished with his 23-point, 21-rebound effort in Friday night's 93-84 loss in San Antonio, it remains apparent the rest of the Heat roster is not fully at ease in utilizing the 7-foot-1, 330-pound center.

"We've got nine new guys here, guys that have never played with a guy of my caliber," O'Neal said as the Heat turned its attention to tonight's home game against Milwaukee. "So they're still learning me, I'm still learning them."

The Heat is expected to again be without point guard Dwyane Wade, who remains in a walking boot with a sprained left ankle. But even with Wade available, the Heat fields a roster with point guards better known for their scoring than playmaking. That has made the transition to O'Neal's game all the more complex.

"I think it's innate with some guys," coach Stan Van Gundy said of a feed-the-post mentality. "But how many of these guys have played with big guys? Throwing the ball deep into the paint is a lot different than just what you would call a normal post entry, which is what I think our guys can do."

Although few teams offer the post defense of the Spurs, it was apparent even on Friday that O'Neal was in position to do more than his 9-of-21 shooting.

At one point in the second period, when reserve point guard Keyon Dooling and starting point guard Damon Jones were on the court together, Jones glared at Dooling and shouted, "Throw him the ball!" as O'Neal went overlooked on yet another possession.

O'Neal said it is part of growing together as a contender.

"Keep working, keep practicing and keep playing games and keep watching tape," the center said of the best way for teammates to play to his strengths.

Even as he has battled through a strained hamstring, O'Neal has been double- and triple-teamed.

"I think our guys are seeing the other defenders coming, and it's a difficult thing," Van Gundy said. "And also, they're seeing him getting jostled and pushed and they wonder if he's going to be able to make the catch."

There could be a subtle change tonight. Against San Antonio, Van Gundy went with Dooling as the point guard and Damon Jones as the shooting guard when the two were used in tandem. Tonight, those roles could be reversed.

ANSWERING BACK

Mocked Thursday by O'Neal for his hack-a-Shaq tactics in the Mavericks' blowout victory, Dallas coach Don Nelson has fired back.

Informed Shaq had said he has won more NBA titles than Nelson, the former Celtics forward said Friday, "Shaq needs to take a lesson in the history of the NBA. I already have five rings. I have more than Shaq as a player. We're even as coaches. He wants to get five. I already have five."

As for his team intentionally fouling O'Neal, Nelson said, "I didn't mean to make Shaq angry. I love him to death, but what would he do in my shoes?"